New victim of alleged pill theft at metro Atlanta senior living facility speaks out

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Melanie Spiller recently celebrated her mother Martha’s 101th birthday at the Oaks at Suwanee Creek, where she has been living for the past three years.

“She is still mentally with it,” Spiller said. “I know she doesn’t have forever. I realize her days are limited, but I would like them to be happier.”

Spiller said she just learned that her mother’s former nurse is accused of stealing prescription medication from her and other residents.

“Very betrayed. And they feel betrayed, the residents do,” Spiller said.

The Suwanee Police Department launched an investigation and arrested Terri Howell, a nurse at the facility, and charged her with multiple counts of cruelty and obtaining a controlled substance by deception.

Nurse charged with stealing prescription pills from seniors

According to a police press release, Martha had 48 opioid pain pills stolen. A former employee who did not want to be identified is also speaking out.

“It’s a God calling for me. And I would still be in it, other than I could no longer tolerate things I was seeing in the industry. It broke my heart to see what was happening to our seniors,” the former Oaks at Suwanee Creek employee said.

Atlanta News First contacted the corporate office for the Oaks at Suwanee Creek, and they said upon learning of the incident, they immediately placed the nurse on administrative leave and then fired her.

They went on to say they are deeply concerned by the allegations, and that the well-being and safety of their residents is their utmost priority.

“We have stringent protocols and training programs in place to safeguard our residents, and we will be reinforcing these measures in light of this event,” a spokesperson for Oaks at Suwanee Creek said in a statement.

“The level of betrayal for the residents for the aides, for the family, I mean we are just blown away. I never suspected that with Terri,” Spiller said.

Atlanta News First tried calling and texting the nurse for comment, to no avail. Police said the investigation rolls on.

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